Going to freshen up bottom end...Anything I should know before I screw it up?

[ram360]

I was thinking of freshening up the 89 5.0 shortblock I have laying around before I drop it into my car. It's just going to have to do until I have the money for a real bottom end. Anyway when I pulled the heads from the motor and turned the motor a few times by hand It appeared that a few (2)of the cylinders had oil leaking around the pistons. I'm no expert, but I figure it's bad piston rings to blame? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'm planning on getting a rebuild kit for the bottom end (the one that includes the new piston rings, main bearings, and all that other stuff minus the pistons. The $100 kit. I'll reuse the pistons that are in there. The cylinder walls themself still have the cross hatch pattern so I think that's a good sign. Any advise before I attempt this? What else should I check while I have it apart? It doesn't seem too hard. Any special tools? Thanks guys.

 

[RsStanG1987]

Make sure you put all of the oil pan bolts back in. Make sure you mark what piston goes in which cylinder. And take care of my motor

 

[dastang2]

you don't have to mark the pistons because they are numbered but be sure not to mix the main and rod cap with other numbers and they have to be facing the right way. also remember that the top piston ring has a bevelled edge that goes inside the ring land on the piston and faces down i think. the rings should have a dot on the top of them, make sure they face up. stagger the ring gaps so you don't lose compression. the big dots on the piston's surface faces toward the front of the motor. grease everything up and you should plastigauge to check bearing clearance. the thrust main bearing goes on #3 main cap.

 

[DTT92LX]

Hey ram360, what $100.00 kit are you referring to? I have a 5.0 block that I want to freshen up too and have just started researching how to do it.

 

[grrrrrrr]

Make sure you have a quality torque wrench and double check all your torque settings. This will have a significant impact on how long your motor stays together after you rebuild it...

 

[ram360]

Thanks for the info that's extremely helpful. dastang2 what should I grease and what kind should I use? I have the torque wrench will I need a piston ring compressor or any other special tools? I figure I'll pick up everything tomorrow. I can get a set of moly piston rings for $50 so that's what I'm going with.

 

[ram360]

Hey ram360, what $100.00 kit are you referring to? I have a 5.0 block that I want to freshen up too and have just started researching how to do it.

I must have looked at it for the wrong engine 302 engine but it's $204 from performance automotive warehouse (87-91) 302 HO. engine overhaul special(Piston rings, rod bearings, main bearings, engine gasket set,) After pricing everything out it's cheaper to buy all that around here seperatly.

 

[ram360]

Make sure you put all of the oil pan bolts back in. Make sure you mark what piston goes in which cylinder. And take care of my motor

Don't worry about the motor, it's in very capable hands. I have all the bolts for the oil pan. I still need bolts for my bell housing though. Maybe you have a few extra laying around. I know you only used two of them when you put your car back together.